1. Sandy River Beach
City: Jonesport, ME
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: Off Route 187
Description: Though the parking can be difficult, the sands rocky, and the water icy, this 500-yard natural wonder—sands Down East?—is always busy because it’s all there is. Nice views of Roque Island and the neat tidal river.
2. Captain Laura Fish
City: Jonesport, ME
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (207) 801-1957
Address: Kelley Point Rd.
Description: The personable Captain Laura Fish takes as many as six passengers out on the 23-foot Aaron Thomas on a daily basis in summer from Jonesport harbor. Her three-hour tour takes in many of the sights in Moosabec Reach, from Great Wass Island, where there’s a Nature Conservancy preserve noted for its wildflowers, to the colorfully named Mistake Island. Reservations are necessary.
3. Norton Of Jonesport
City: Jonesport, ME
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (207) 497-2560
Address: 118 Main St.
Description: Puffins may be charismatic critters, with their cute sea-parrot faces, but they had nothing on Captain Barna B. Norton of Jonesport. A character, a genuine old-time Maine boat captain, and a legend Down East, the late Norton took singlehandedly took on the Canadian government, fighting for rights to access Machias Seal Island, one of the few Maine isles with a breeding puffin colony. Marlin Perkins of Wild Kingdom, famed birdwatcher Roger Tory Peterson, National Geographic, and just about every worthy magazine and newspaper in the land all have ventured offshore with Norton. His daughter Holly now runs the show, making the 80-minute crossing to Machias Seal Island daily at about 7 a.m. from Memorial Day through the end of August. You’ll have a few hours on the island to take pictures. Reservations are recommended, and Holly asks that you also call the night before you expect to make the trip to establish the exact time she’s heading out. The cost is $100 per person.